Main Idea & Supporting Details
What is the main idea of the passage?
"Antarctica: Not What You Think"
When people think of Antarctica, they think of snow and ice. When they think of deserts, they think of sun, heat, and sand. Yet in spite of its cold temperatures, Antarctica is actually a desert. In fact, it is the largest desert on the planet. A desert is a very dry environment that receives less than ten inches of precipitation yearly. On average, Antarctica gets less than two inches. Most of that precipitation is in the form of snow, but rain or ice can sometimes fall as well.
Even though Antarctica is cold and has snow, it is a desert.
What is the moral of the story?
"The Boy Who Cried Wolf"
There once was a young shepherd who looked after the village sheep. Sitting out in the field with nothing to do, he grew bored. For fun, he decided to trick the people of the village. "Help! Wolf!" he cried. "A wolf is chasing the sheep!"
The villagers came rushing to see what was wrong, but the shepherd only laughed. "I fooled you," he said. "There is no wolf."
Two days in a row, the shepherd boy cried, "Wolf! Wolf!" Then he laughed when the villagers came running.
On the third day, the shepherd was watching the sheep on a hill, and a hungry wolf appeared. The wolf began to chase the sheep. "Help! Wolf!" the boy cried.
This time the villagers did not believe him, and no one came. The wolf chased the sheep away, and the boy sat and cried.
Later, the villagers discovered that all the sheep were really gone.
Always tell the truth, if you lie people wont believe you.
How are cotton and wool alike?
Cotton and wool are natural fibers that people use to make clothing. Cotton comes from a plant, while wool comes from an animal. Clothing made from wool is usually much warmer than cotton clothing.
They both are fibers used to make clothing.
What does Grandma want Liam and Millie to do?
"The Bunny Sitters"
"Found you, Millie!" shouted Liam. Millie crawled out from under a bush. Grandma's backyard had lots of places to hide.
Just then Millie saw something under the bushes.
"Liam, look!" she said.
It was a nest made of fur and grass, and there were little animals asleep in it!
Liam and Millie ran to get Grandma. She came outside to look. Then she smiled and put her finger to her lips.
"Don't wake them," she whispered. "They're baby bunnies."
She wants Liam and Millie to be quiet around the bunnies.
How many stanzas are in this poem?
"Counting Sheep"
Toss and turn, turn and toss.
At least a million sheep I count.
Toss and turn, I still can't sleep.
Instead the sheep jump one by one.
I don't know why this doesn't work.
Why do I lie here awake?
2 stanzas
What is the main idea of the text?
"Earth & Mars"
Earth is much more welcoming to life than Mars is. Earth's thick atmosphere helps keep the planet warm, with an average temperature of 57°F. In addition, over two-thirds of Earth is covered by water. These conditions make it easy for all kinds of organisms to live here. Mars, on the other hand, has a thin atmosphere and is farther from the sun. Therefore, it is much colder. Mars's average temperature is about -60°F! In addition, the surface of the planet is mostly dry and dusty. Without enough water and warmth, most organisms would struggle to survive on Mars.
Earth is better able to support life than Mars is.
What is the lesson of this story?
"The Turtle and the Rabbit"
One day, a turtle and a rabbit decided to race each other. The rabbit was sure he would win. After all, he was much faster than the turtle.
When the race started, the rabbit began to sprint as fast as he could. Soon, he was way ahead of the turtle.
"I may as well take a nap," the rabbit thought. "That slow turtle will never catch up with me!"
While the rabbit slept, the turtle kept going and going. He never stopped, even when he got tired. The turtle reached the finish line while the rabbit was still asleep. The slow turtle won the race!
It's important to work hard and never give up.
What must you do after you add oil to your lamp?
Have you ever seen a lava lamp? You can make something that looks like one at home. First, fill a tall, clear drinking glass with water. Make sure to leave an inch of room at the top. Next, slowly add a quarter cup of vegetable oil. Finally, sprinkle a pinch of salt on top. The "lava" will begin moving up and down in the glass.
Sprinkle a pinch of salt on top
What can people see in Nome?
"Nome"
Not everyone dreams of a hot beach vacation. Some like it cold! That is why many people love Nome, Alaska. Nome's weather makes it a great place to see animals. There are moose, foxes, and seals. There are also musk oxen. A musk ox is like a huge goat with long, thick hair. This hair blocks out wind and snow. People live in Nome, too. In many ways, it looks like other American towns. But some groups have lived near Nome for thousands of years. They have used special clothes, buildings, and foods to get through the winters.
Many people visit Nome during warmer weather. In March, there is a big sled dog race. In summer, people look for small pieces of gold in streams. As some people say, "There's no place like Nome!"
different kinds of animals
How many actors ore in the script of this play?
Reading Roles: Narrator, Stepsister 1, Stepsister 2, Stepmother, Cinderella, Fairy Godmother, Prince
NARRATOR 1: Once upon a time, there was a beautiful girl named Cinderella. She had two wicked stepsisters who—
STEPSISTER 1: [interrupting, upset] “Wicked” stepsisters? Really? What a lie. Cinderella was the one who was wicked.
STEPSISTER 2: And saying Cinderella was beautiful isn’t even fair. She got a magical makeover from a fairy godmother!
STEPSISTER 1: If you want to know the true story of Cinderella, then listen up.
STEPSISTER 2: Because this is what really happened. . . .
7 actors
What is the main idea of the passage?
"Noisy Ocean Animals"
One of the ocean's smallest animals is also one of its loudest. A pistol shrimp, also called a snapping shrimp, makes a sound that is louder than a gunshot. The animal does this by snapping its claws, which creates a bubble. When the bubble breaks, it makes a loud and powerful blast. In fact, the blast is so loud that the pistol shrimp can use it to kill nearby fish. Groups of pistol shrimp snapping at the same time are even louder. Their sounds are so loud that they've even damaged underwater equipment.
The pistol shrimp can make very loud sounds.
What is the moral of the story?
"Grasshopper and the Ants"
It was summer. The air was warm, the grass was green, and there was plenty of food. Every day, Grasshopper slept in the sun, played in the grass, and filled his belly.
One day, some little ants walked by with heavy loads on their backs. Grasshopper asked them what they were doing. One ant told Grasshopper that they were storing food for winter.
"But it's summer now," said Grasshopper. "There is plenty of food."
The ants simply went back to work. Grasshopper chewed on some grass. Then, he took a nap.
That winter, the air grew cold. The grass turned gray. There was no food around, and Grasshopper hadn't stored any. The ants had stored plenty of food. So, they got to eat while Grasshopper was weak and hungry. Grasshopper wished he had worked more during the summer!
Its good to plan ahead and be prepared for later.
What is the solution to the problem, that animals eat plants?
If you have ever seen a cactus plant, you know it is covered by sharp spines. The prickly spines prevent most animals from eating the cactus. Cacti grow in the desert, where the heat and dryness make plant life difficult. To meet this challenge, cacti have shallow roots. These roots soak up any raindrops that may fall on the ground. Cacti then store the water inside special stems.
Cacti have spines
Why does Dax think glowflowers and interesting?
"The Glowflower Plant"
With a crowd of other merpeople, Dax swam through Sharky's Market. He saw seaweed snacks, shark-tooth necklaces, and flashlight fish. But where were the sea plants?
A store helper swam up to Dax. "May I help you?" the mermaid asked.
"Do you sell glowflowers?" Dax asked.
Dax had heard some whales singing about glowflowers. Now he wanted to buy a glowflower plant for his mom. She loved unusual plants for her garden, and glowflowers sounded really interesting. They could create their own light!
The mermaid shook her head. "We used to sell them but not anymore. They're hard to take care of."
"Thanks anyway," Dax said, his fins drooping.
"Wait," said the mermaid. "Mr. Kelp, my neighbor, grows glowflowers. Maybe he knows where you could buy one."
They make their own light
What does Merv think about life on Mars?
"Merv the Martian"
"Every day is exactly the same," Merv always complained to his friends. "Nothing exciting ever happens on Mars!"
Every morning, Merv would eat a bowl of space rocks and lava for breakfast. Then, he would go to school. At school, Merv learned how to read and write in Martian. He also studied the science of dust storms and the history of Mars. After school, Merv climbed dusty red rocks with his friends. Merv had a good life, but he wasn't satisfied.
Merv wanted to travel around the solar system. He wanted to visit new and interesting places. But most of all, Merv wanted to visit Earth.
Merv had read about Earth in school. He had seen pictures of shiny blue oceans and tall trees full of leaves that could change color. He'd learned that strange creatures called humans lived on Earth, and he dreamed of meeting them someday.
He thinks Mars is boring.
What is the main idea of the passage?
"Chameleon Tongues"
The chameleon is well-known among reptiles for being able to change color. It is also famous for its lightning-fast tongue. If you've ever seen a chameleon catch an insect, you've seen its tongue zip in and out. How does the chameleon manage this? A chameleon has a special muscle in its tongue. When the reptile is ready to grab its prey, it contracts, or tightens, the muscle. When the muscle stops contracting, the tongue springs forward with amazing speed and power.
A muscle in a chameleon's tongue helps the tongue move fast.
What is the lesson of the story
"The Monkey and the Dolphin"
A group of sailors set sail on a long voyage. They brought along a monkey to keep them company. After several weeks at sea, there was a terrible storm. The choppy waves tossed around the small ship, and both the sailors and the monkey were thrown into the sea.
A dolphin saw the monkey in the water and rescued him. The dolphin swam to a nearby island, carrying the monkey on her back. When they arrived at the island, the dolphin asked, "Have you been here before?"
The monkey said, "Yes, I have. Actually, I am the king of this island." Of course, that was not true. In fact, no one lived on the island at all.
The dolphin replied, "Good. Then you no longer need me." And she swam off, leaving the monkey stuck on the island.
Lying can get you in trouble!
What text structure is the author using in this passage?
Mail carriers start their day at the post office. They gather and sort the letters for their routes. The carriers arrange their mail in trays, in the order of the houses they'll visit. That takes an hour or two. Next, they load the letters, magazines, and packages into their mail trucks. Then, they spend the rest of the day taking the mail to the people on their routes. On city routes, they can park the truck and walk from house to house. In the country, they drive.
sequencing
Where might you find these singing dogs?
"Singing Dogs"
One dog begins howling. Others join in. Some of the howls are high, and some of the howls are low. So, when a group howls together, it can sound like singing. These unique sounds are made by New Guinea singing dogs, and they are quite different from the sounds other dogs make. New Guinea singing dogs live in the mountains on the island of New Guinea. However, they are very shy and rarely seen. They look a lot like other kinds of wild dogs, but in some ways, they are more like cats. They are great climbers and jumpers, and they groom themselves often to stay clean. Their eyes shine green in low light, just like cats' eyes do. These catlike singing dogs are one of a kind.
The mountains of New Guinea
What person is this story written in, who is the narrator?
"Moving Day"
Everything in Alice's house had been packed into cardboard boxes. Now, Alice's parents were loading each box into the back of a huge moving truck. As soon as they finished, they would all start the long drive from Georgia to Utah.
"You're going to love all the mountains in Utah," her dad told her.
Her mom lifted a box of books into the truck. "And there's a great zoo near our new house," her mom added.
But Alice was thinking about how she had to leave her house and her school. She couldn't even think about saying goodbye to her best friend, Gabby. Alice hugged her stuffed penguin tightly and sighed.
Alice couldn't keep looking at that moving truck. So, she ran up to her room and shut the door.
3rd person - Outside Narrator
What is the main idea of the passage?
"The Nose Knows"
Many sharks swim long distances around the planet. How they do this without getting lost is a mystery. A group of scientists in California thought the sense of smell could be an answer. To find out, they stuffed the noses of one group of sharks with cotton balls. A second group's noses remained unplugged. Both groups were taken to a deep part of the ocean. The sharks that didn't have cotton balls in their noses swam straight toward shore. Those with cotton balls seemed to wander. Therefore, the scientists believe that sharks may indeed use their noses to get around in the ocean.
Scientist discovered that sharks find their way around by using their nose.
What is the central message of the story?
"Mr. Rat Looks for a Wife"
Mr. Rat loved Ms. Rat, and she loved him, too. But Mr. Rat wouldn't marry her. He wanted to marry the strongest thing in the world.
He thought the Sun was the strongest, so he asked her first. The Sun said, "But the Cloud is stronger than I, for she blocks my light."
So, Mr. Rat went to the Cloud. The Cloud said, "But the Wind is stronger than I, for she pushes me around."
So, Mr. Rat went to the Wind next. The Wind said, "But the Wall is stronger than I. No matter how strong I blow, she always stands."
So, Mr. Rat went to the Wall. The Wall said, "But there is one thing stronger than I. She can chew holes in me. You have known her all your life, and you are already in love with her."
"Who is she?" Mr. Rat asked.
"Ms. Rat, of course!" the Wall answered.
Sometimes what your looking for is right in front of you.
What text structure is the author using in this passage?
There are many interesting things to see in Kenya, a country in east Africa. For example, you can see Lake Victoria, the world's second-largest freshwater lake. Also, many large wild animals live in Kenya, such as lions, elephants, rhinos, giraffes, and wildebeests. Visitors can see these animals at the country's twenty-one national parks. Kenya has important cities, too. The largest is the capital, Nairobi, and the second-largest is Mombasa. Near Mombasa are popular beaches.
descriptive
What does the word 'rigid' mean in the text?
"Diving"
People have always enjoyed diving into water. But it wasn't until the early 1900s that diving became an Olympic sport. Back then, plain diving and fancy diving were the two main types of diving. Doing a simple dive into water was called plain diving. Meanwhile, fancy diving was when divers did flips as they jumped. Early divers jumped off wooden planks or wide boards. These boards were rigid. So, it was hard for divers to jump high, because they did not move. But diving boards today have a lot more bounce. This means that divers can jump higher and do fancier moves. Also, there are now many more kinds of diving in the Olympics. The sport of diving has changed a lot over the years. But what has not changed is how much people enjoy watching this amazing sport.
not able to move
Why can't Isaac sit still in his seat?
"A Pumpkin for Isaac"
"Hey, Isaac! I'm getting the biggest pumpkin this year! The bigger the pumpkin, the more room to carve a scary face!" says Natalia. I turn from the train's window, where I've been watching fields and trees pass by. "No way!" I say with a grin. "The biggest pumpkin is mine!" Today, my aunt is taking my cousin Natalia and me to a pumpkin farm. I can hardly sit still in my seat. I keep thinking of new pumpkin-carving ideas. A perfectly carved pumpkin will be a great chance to show off my art skills. When we arrive, Natalia and I split up to look at pumpkins. I want one that's smooth, round, and enormous, perfect for carving a scary face. I see pumpkins in all different shapes and sizes. But none of them seem quite right.
He is excited to carve a pumpkin.